IOL Scotland news item. 6.11.08
NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR VITAL WINTER MOUNTAINEERING QUALIFICATION
People who enjoy being on Britain’s mountains can now take a step closer to safety, thanks to new national recognition of a qualification aimed at those who lead walking groups in hills and mountains under winter conditions.
The Winter Mountain Leader Award has become one of the latest qualifications to be placed on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications framework (SCQF), giving it national recognition in terms of the level of competence and knowledge required.
Clearly, the demands made on the hill walking leader in winter are much greater than in summer, and holding the Winter ML shows that individuals have the proven skills and knowledge needed to perform leadership tasks competently and safely, including the ability to navigate in winter conditions, demonstrate ice axe and crampon skills, evaluate terrain, snowpack and weather conditions regarding avalanche hazard, and being able to construct and use snow holes and emergency shelters.
The qualification has been developed by Mountain Leader Training Scotland (MLTS), the organisation that addresses the issue of ensuring the training and assessment of leaders of groups in the mountains. Since its introduction over 40 years ago, it has achieved widespread recognition by Education Authorities, mountaineering bodies, youth organisations and individuals.
In a sector where safety is paramount, recognition and robustness of qualifications is vital. By working closely with SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning, to bring further recognition for their qualification, MLTS has now gained the added step of SCQF status for this qualification.
To gain the qualification, candidates have to integrate personal experience, training and assessment, and also must go through six formal stages: gaining personal winter mountaineering experience; registering for the scheme and completing a log book; undergoing at least six days of specific training; gaining further personal experience during a period of consolidation; undergoing a minimum of five days’ assessment; and maintaining an on-going log book of experience gained.
Given that candidates need to go through such a demanding, comprehensive programme, it is little surprise to learn that the Winter Mountain Leader Award has been placed at Level 9 on the SCQF, the same level as a University degree.
Speaking about this new recognition, the Chair of MLTS, Mary Matthews said, “our organisation knows the importance of well-trained leaders for the safety and enjoyment of groups using the hills and mountains. Our qualifications ensure that leaders have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to make the right decisions. We are delighted to gain this SCQF status because it gives us a powerful external endorsement of our award for the many organisations which use it as the nationally accepted benchmark standard ”.
Pam Scott is SkillsActive’s National Manager Scotland Sport and Recreation and she says, “we are delighted to have played our role in bringing Mountain Leader Training Scotland and the SCQF together. Qualifications are important in every walk of life and the national recognition that SCQF has now given shows even more that it is a qualification worth having and whoever holds it has a high level of skills and knowledge that, importantly, other mountain-users can take comfort from”.
Aileen Ponton is Chief Executive of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework partnership and she says, “Giving recognition to qualifications like this is what the SCQF is all about. It is important that employers and learners alike – and in this case, outdoor enthusiasts - can start to recognise the true worth of qualifications in individual sectors. The SCQF level gained by this qualification is a real indicator of just how vital are the skills and knowledge needed in what can be a challenging wintry environment”.
NOTES:
1. Mountain Leader Training Scotland is the organisation in Scotland which oversees the provision of leadership qualifications for leading groups in the hills and mountains, including Walking Group Leader, Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, the Single Pitch Award, and the Climbing Wall Award.
For further information please visit www.mltscotland.org <http://www.mltscotland.org/> or contact Mary Matthews Chair of Mountain Leader Training Scotland on 01259 730821 or at mary@mountainsandwildlife.co.uk
2. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership promotes lifelong learning in Scotland. Through the Framework you can find out about all mainstream qualifications in Scotland and plan future learning. The Framework supports everyone in Scotland, including learners, learning providers and employers, by:
· helping people to get access to appropriate education and training so they can meet their full potential;
· helping employers, learners and the general public to understand the full range of Scottish qualifications, how qualifications relate to each other and to other forms of learning, and how different types of qualification can contribute to improving the skills of the workforce.
3. SkillsActive is licensed by government as the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning. Led by employers, SkillsActive works across the sport and recreation, health and fitness, outdoors, playwork, and caravan industries – known as the active leisure and learning sector – to increase the demand for, the quality and the supply of skills provision, and to lobby funding agencies and policy makers for improvements to the sector.
SkillsActive is dedicated to the needs of business and organisations by helping to improve their competitiveness and productivity; and aims to bring together employers, educators and government, and unite them with a common, employer-led agenda for action on skills.
SkillsActive operates as part of the SkillsActive Group. For more information about SkillsActive, please visit: www.skillsactive.com
4. Nearly 200 candidates a year register for the Winter ML on average. In addition to its use for group leaders, the qualification is widely recognised as a valuable personal skills award for anyone wishing to walk in the mountains in winter for personal recreation.
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